AFP rejects China’s ‘deceptive’ narratives on Ayungin Shoal, BRP Sierra Madre
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has rejected Chinese claims regarding the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. The military spokesperson accused Beijing of using deceptive narratives to rewrite history while highlighting China's past illegal land reclamation in the West Philippine Sea.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, impacting regional security and international maritime law.
MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) pushed back against the Chinese Embassy in Manila accusing Beijing of attempting to "rewrite history" regarding the presence of the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement on Saturday, August 22, AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), retired Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, firmly rejected China's claims about supposed past agreements to remove the grounded naval vessel. He also called out the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) "track record of deceptive narratives" regarding Philippine waters.
"The Chinese Communist Party speaks of 'promises' and 'demands,' yet it very easily forgets its own track record of deceptive narratives in our waters," Trinidad said.
Trinidad recalled Beijing's 1995 occupation of Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef), a feature located well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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